Autoblog

Porsche to bring back old-school Targa on next-generation 911

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Porsche, Rumormill

1970 Porsche 911 Targa

There once was a time when roofs came in two forms: fixed or convertible. But these days, you can get a cloth-roof convertible, a hardtop convertible, partial convertibles like the Fiat 500C, flip-tops like the Renault Wind or Ferrari Superamerica... but one thing you don't see much of anymore is the Targa top.

Although removable roof panels existed beforehand, it was Porsche that first coined the term 'Targa' to refer to the roof style. It was introduced on the 911 in 1966, when the fear was that the authorities were preparing to ban full convertibles due to safety concerns. That fear turned out to be unfounded, but the Targa became a fixture of the 911 lineup.

Porsche replaced the lift-off roof panel with a sliding glass panel in 1996, as it has continued since, but the latest product of the rumormill suggests that the German automaker could be preparing to bring back the old-school Targa with the next-generation 911.

Why would Porsche do this? Maybe the current Targa's assembly is too heavy or too expensive. One way or another, it'll be a good few years until the next Targa comes along, so we'll just have to sit tight - with or without the wind in our hair - to find out.

Porsche to bring back old-school Targa on next-generation 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: The Belgrade Phantom trailer

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Porsche

Click above to view the video after the jump

While we don't watch many of them, when we do get to see films from the region formerly known as Yugoslavia, we tend to like them. Case in point, check out Emir Kusterica's Underground. But that's not a car film. The Belgrade Phantom, on the other hand, is. Based on true story, the plot is that in 1979 when Tito was out of the country visiting Cuba, a car thief drives a white Porsche Targa S through the streets of Belgrade. Some view his hoonage as a challenge to Tito's power. Others feel he was once scorned by the police and he's out for revenge. Still others think he is delivering a rose to a love interest.

Regardless of the truth, 10,000 people pour into the streets nightly to watch and support his antics, while the police resolve to stop him at all costs. The thief takes the unusual step of calling radio stations and announcing his exploits. Sounds right up our alley, and a bit of a European homage to Vanishing Point. Which is a very good thing. The subtitled trailer can be found after the jump. Hats off to Drewbage for the tip!

Continue reading VIDEO: The Belgrade Phantom trailer

VIDEO: The Belgrade Phantom trailer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche opens up the new 911 Targa 4 & Targa 4S

Noah Joseph — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Porsche

Click for a hi-res gallery of the new Porsche 911 Targa 4S

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. That seems to be the motto of the newest iteration of the latest generation of the Porsche 911. The new 911 Targa is available exclusively with all-wheel-drive, in either Targa 4 or Targa 4S guise, bearing the 911 Turbo-derived electronic four-wheel-drive system that replaces the viscous mechanical system on the previous generation, and coupled to Stuttgart's new PDK dual-clutch transmission.

What sets the Targa model apart, though, is its sixteen-and-a-half-square-foot glass sliding roof, specially treated to filter out UV rays that can be opened in just seven seconds to let the air in. Sale of the new model in the United States will begin in October, just as the sunshine's going away (depending on where you live) with list prices of $89,500 and $100,100 respectively.

Check out the press release after the jump for more info, and the images in the gallery below for more angles.

Gallery: 2009 Porsche 911 Targa 4S

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche opens up the new 911 Targa 4 & Targa 4S

Porsche opens up the new 911 Targa 4 & Targa 4S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Porsche 997 Targa uncloacked before unveiling

Noah Joseph — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Porsche

As we reported previously, following the unveiling of the new 997-generation 911, Porsche is preparing to unveil the new Targa variant. However someone seems to have gotten the jump on Stuttgart, snapping a few shots of an undisguised new Targa ahead of time.

The model in the spy shots is the all-wheel-drive Targa 4, identifiable by the badge on the rear deck (most obviously) and by the red tail-light strip running the width below it like on the fixed-roof and convertible Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S. The shots also seem to indicate that the contemporary glass roof on late-model Targas will carry over to the new model, however we'll have to wait a bit until Porsche releases official details to get the full 411 on the new glass-top 911.

[Source: GermanCarScene]

Spy Shots: Porsche 997 Targa uncloacked before unveiling originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Porsche 911 Targa next in the 997 pipeline

Noah Joseph — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Porsche

When Porsche introduces a new 911 update, you know exactly what that means: derivatives. The Porsche 911 has more derivatives, body-styles and variants than just about any other automobile in production, and after unveiling the latest 911 Carrera and Carrera S, Carerra 4 and Carrera 4S, in both coupe and cabrio formats, the next version due for release is the 911 Targa.

Porsche defined the term Targa when it borrowed the name from the famous Sicilian race, the Targa Florio, and applied it to its lift-roof-section model, bridging the gap between its convertibles and coupes. The outgoing 911 Targa features a sliding panoramic roof section, but we'll have to wait and see what tricks Porsche has up its sleeve for the newest version.

[Source: GermanCarScene]

New Porsche 911 Targa next in the 997 pipeline originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche unveils the new 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S

Alex Nunez — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Porsche

Porsche announced today that the successor to the 996-based Targa will arrive in dealerships this fall.

For the first time ever, the Targa will be exclusively an all-wheel-drive model. The 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S share powertrains with their Carrera 4 siblings, meaning that the Targa 4 gets the 3.6 L 325-horsepower flat six, and that the Targa 4S gets the 355-horsepower 3.8L powerplant. Performance-wise, the Targa 4 runs to 60 in 5.3 seconds and tops out at 174 mph. For the Targa 4S, those numbers are 4.9 seconds and 179 mph. As with other 911s, a six-speed manual is standard equipment, with Tiptronic S available on the list of options.

Visually, the Targa 4 sports the wider bodywork of the Carrera 4/4S and features an aluminum trim strip that follows the roofline, accentuating its familiar shape. This is a nice touch -- essentially a modern version of the "targa bar," which on early models was a brushed aluminum piece. It makes the car identifiable as a Targa from a distance.

The most obvious (and important) visual difference between the Targa and other 911s, however, is the two-ply, tinted glass roof. Seven seconds is all it takes for it to slide back and reveal a 4.8 square foot opening overhead. The roof system also features a semi-translucent powered shade for days when it's simply too warm to sit under the glass alone.

Wind noise and buffeting are kept to a minimum thanks to new seals when the roof is shut and a wind deflector when it's open. The roof itself is a little over 4 pounds lighter than the one featured on the previous model. Want the open-air experience without buying a 911 cabrio? This car should fit the bill nicely.

Pricing for the Targa 4 is set at $85,700 USD, while the Targa 4S will fetch $95,900 USD. They'll be in showrooms this November. Check out more details at the 911 Targa's official site.

(Additional information and photos after the jump)

Source: Porsche

Continue reading Porsche unveils the new 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S

Porsche unveils the new 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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